Resorts hope to reopen with snow

A snowstorm this week could be just what the slopes need, after a so-far depressing start to the ski and snowboard season at local resorts.

The season was off to a promising start in mid-November as a few storms brought enough for all local resorts to open, but a cycle of warm weather caused them to shut down around Thanksgiving. Even rainy days were too warm for manmade snow, so Mountain High and Snow Summit shut their lifts, though Bear Mountain continued to operate.

It's been a waiting game for riders looking to hit the slopes, and they could get what they've been waiting for with the coming storm. Snow Summit announced on its website that it could be open in the next few days, and Mountain High officials in Wrightwood say it could open Friday or Saturday.

"The forecast is calling for a powerful winter storm to reach Southern California Wednesday afternoon, producing colder temperatures and 6-10 inches of natural snow," the Mountain High website reads.

Mountain High will offer night skiing from 5 p.m. to 10 when it reopens Wednesday through Sunday.

Lifts at Mammoth Mountain have much to boast about, with recent storms cold enough to produce a healthy base to start the season. The current base is 4.5-6.5 feet, and so far in December, they've received about 36 inches of snowfall, with much more expected with this week's storm.